mosquitoe bites HELP !

tbear


Joined: 27/01/2011
Posts: 24

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 19:30

Hi, i am getting bitten all ready any tips ????

janjin



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 488

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 20:36

tbear.

This isn't a cure but I would suggest all the usual - Avon oil spary, veet etc....

But when you get bitten try the little zapper that gives you a very light electric shock. This then stops the urge and annoying itch. Its a very small light unit about the size of a ten pence peice and is similar to a very small gun shape.

Jusy thought this may help as my husband is a mozzey magnet, so this is from experience!!!!

FulhamFan



Joined: 28/02/2010
Posts: 97

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 21:14

I was in NC in Dec someone said take vitamin B, so a few days before I came took a few and no bits'



half way through my trip stop taking them and started getting bitten again, so took them again and yes you guess it no bites coming in April and will be taking my vits

Hoylemiller



Joined: 03/09/2010
Posts: 240

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 21:22

In the bedroom good air circulation is the secret put the fans or AC on.

Citronella, either burn the sticks or put on the oil, smells really nice, and works. Failing that put on a good Mozzie repellant in the evenings.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 21:30

Eat loads of Garlic, you'll have no friends but you won't suffer bites

judyr


Joined: 07/07/2009
Posts: 956

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 21:38

Yes vitamin B1 - apparantly the mosquitoes hate it - apparantly they do not bite you if you have it in your blood but sadly not the case but do take it daily. It stays in your blood system for 24 hours and it seems to minimise the effect of the bite. Trust me (I'm not a Doctor!) but for years I have been plagued with bites and have not known where to turn for relief but have now been able to combat this by taking B1. Yews I still get bitten but they do not swell up so much therefore minimise the inevitable scratching and therefore they do disappear quickly because the infection does not spread! Prior to this i swear that my partner could almost do a dot to dot on my entire body with all the bites!!!

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 21:44

Brewers yeast.....and as first post, Avon skin so smooth, it isnt for insect bites but it certainly keeps them away and flies!!!!

Zoots


Joined: 05/02/2011
Posts: 669

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 22:52

As hinted at above, Marmite. You should be spreading it thinly on toast and enjoying it every day anyway!

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 23:00

Tonic water or bitter lemon

or product with quinine in

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 23:27

The active ingredient in Avon Skin so Soft that deters mosquitoes is the extract of coconut...

A shampoo that includes it can also help when used as an all over body wash.

Fortunately Hacı Şakir (a Colgate-Palmolive product) is available in all good super markets for less than 5TL for 700ml.

You are looking for the Hindistan Cevizi Sütü variety. It's got a picture of half a coconut on the label.

Used in conjunction with other preventative measures it works wonders.

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 23:41

sorry to contradict you Groucho, but as I understood it Avon skin so soft does work as a mosquitoe repellent - but Avon itself do not know how or why it works !It wasnt manufactured to be a repellent at all. it is a combination of lots of different ingredients that work together and until they work out ratio's etc they cant actually sell it as a repellent....they are still working on it which is why it is called skin so soft and not Avon's mosquitoe repellent....strange but true!!!!!!

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 23:59

Rumor had it that Skin So Soft was even better than products with DEET, the most effective active ingredient on the market. In fact so many people were buying SSS for this reason that Avon launched a companion product that contained a non- DEET active





Unfortunately, this urban legend has been thoroughly debunked by Snopes.com. They reported on a 2002 study that evaluated 17 nationally marketed mosquito products. The researchers found that the more DEET the products contained the better they worked. Off! Deep Woods kept the nasty buggers at bay for an average of 302 minutes. By comparison SSS only worked for 9.6 minutes.



You can read more at Snopes.com or you can read the original study in the New England Journal of Medicine, 4 July 2002 vol 347:13-18 Number 1.

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 00:05

http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/skeeters.asp

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 00:22

I've never used SSS but the shampoo works a treat... I used it and noticed that bites stopped, I stopped using it for a few days to test the theory out and got bitten badly... started using it again and the bites stopped again. I hardly ever get bitten if I use it consistently...

mickyron


Joined: 05/07/2009
Posts: 130

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 00:26

If you can find any (try Lamar), use OFF insect repellant we use it and we very rearly get any bites

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 00:30

My sister took sss on Safari to Kenya and didnt get bitten once, everyone else was covered......I tried it out in spain last year where they had a swarm of flies hanging around for days, I sprayed this on and didnt have one fly land on my whilst sun bathing,...........brilliant stuff and oh so cheap!!!x

tbear


Joined: 27/01/2011
Posts: 24

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 08:30

thanks for all your tips,i will try them out and let you know how i get on!

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 08:54

Grow lots of basil in pots

Welldigger



Joined: 16/06/2010
Posts: 27

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 09:33

We always use "Kov" it's available in Chemist, you spray it over your skin and the mossies don;t like it. It does smell a bit at first, almost like an anitsceptic smell but you get used to it and they won't bite anymore.

judyr


Joined: 07/07/2009
Posts: 956

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 09:37

Skin so soft - I have just looked on line and was going to order a supply but there seems to be a choice of products on this range. Which is more effective the spray oil or the lotion?

liz w



Joined: 09/10/2008
Posts: 270

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 10:21

we all swear by vitamin B complex. we start taking them about a week before we come out 2per day and then down to 1 for our stay and although we occasionally get the odd bite they don't get a itchy or as swollen as they used to get.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 10:31

Remember the "Dangers "of being bitten as well as the "Discomfort."...."Sand fly fever" is Not Funny,and can put you in Hospital....Be Warned..........

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 10:38

judyr - I use most of the range. Shower creme, body lotion and sometimes the dry oil spray. It's pretty cheap here in UK (they often have SSS on special offer). Better to be safe than sorry



PS I do bring it out to friends when we come over on holiday and the 'blue' variety dry oil spray seems to be popular.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 11:59

you are far more likely to be bitten by "Sand Flies" ....And they are not easily repelled...And can get through Mozzie nets......Spray dark corners under beds etc with "VAPE" ( available at all Supermarkets) once every 2 days and sleep safe....

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 14:38

If you have already been bitten, this is my recipe for 'Roy's Bite Balm':

Ask pharmacy for a small bottle of medical ammonia - mix with a small quantity of Johnsons Baby Oil, this keeps the ammonia in emulsion. Add a few drops of eucalyptus, or tea tree oil. Best to put it in a small (leakproof!) spray bottle - empty 'Off'.



I have just given you the recipe for the best DIY 'after-bite' treatment. The supermarket bought stuff comes as small 'pencils' - expensive and don't last long. If you're susceptible to sandfly bites - mix your own - we do, and have for the last 20 years. Instant itching relief!



Burn mosquito coils outside on patio or balcony - also, buy some (say 4) oil lamps and fill with citronella oil - both available at Homebase in South Nicosia.



Grow pots of 'Basil' to stand around outside sitting area and waft your bare limbs through the foliage - this deters most biting insects.



Sandflies don't just bite once - they keep on coming, like 'kamikazi' pilots!

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 19:38

Does anyone know what will repel those flies that look like ordinary houseflies but will give a painful bite like a hot needle?

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 20:13

I am surprised that anyone is having problems with airborne insect bites at this time of year.

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 20:16

rub marmite on your forehead

segmen


Joined: 05/12/2008
Posts: 120

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 22:27

Put bunch of fresh mint in your bedroom....it works

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 22:32

Ballyboffin, "Does anyone know what will repel those flies that look like ordinary houseflies but will give a painful bite like a hot needle?"



We invested in one of the electric 'tennis' rackets... it doesn't repel them but it does make dispatching them more fun than just about anything else! I pretend I'm Rafael Nadal (without the bum scratching....)

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 22:33

msg27...Aj they don't venture into Alsancak's territory for fear of being deleted............

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 22:34

Avon SOS works for me but they have changed the bottle now.Any yeast product like marmite, bovril i think . Yeast tablets Brewers yeast. Good tips on here Basil does work didnt know about the mint.Sandfly well thats a different matter. Had the fever and never want it again. I think the new SOS bottle is clear with a small blue label. So cheap in UK but not here it around 20tl a bottle here , UK when Jeannie brough my last lot it was abouut 3 for a fiver x

janjin



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 488

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 22:39

message 20 The Avon oil that seems to repel bites is soft and fresh one in the range.

I can recommend the zapper I mentioned earlier to stop the urge to itch, AFTER you've been bitten.

Agnes


Joined: 11/04/2009
Posts: 81

Message Posted:
11/03/2011 04:35

where in Girne can you buy the zapper mentioned above

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
11/03/2011 06:59

Clearly there are many remedies which will work to some degree but it pays to also try and control your main environment. I have a neighbour who insisted on having a stagnant water butt in his garden full of mosquito lava. He soon found that half a pint of deisel oil had been poured in it ! Rather than trap sand flies/mosquitos indoors with ineffective screens and turgid air, leave all doors and windows wide open by day having paid attention to your surroundings. Cold air and fans at night definitely help in bedrooms. Monitor use of vitamen B1 or risk palpitations, insomnia, agitation etc. Have at hand antihistamine tablets (non drowsy type) in case somebody suffers a badly infected bite. The more you can achieve this way the less money spent on sprays, potions, and the like which in themselves bring toxicity problems. Avoid walking in sandy areas at night and keep ankles covered ! If all else fails numb yourself with copious amounts of EFFEs.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
11/03/2011 08:23

LizW "we all swear by vitamin B complex."



Blimey! does vitamin B complex cause Tourette's?



DDawg, (beginning to sound like Randy Jackson sorry - dude)



Paraffin oil (as little as a teaspoonful) on a water butt of stagnant water creates an impervious layer that the larvae can not puncture to get their breathing tube through... they sink to the bottom and perish... Hooray!



Paraffin occurs naturally in nature (oil shale) and is used in many medicines even ones taken internally. So it's not harmful to health when used as a floating stagnant waterborne mozzie killer. Why it's not more widely used in countries plagued by mozzies I don't know.. Maybe they are afraid someone will only nick it!

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
11/03/2011 08:34

Wot the f..... is Touretts and I don't give a s..... for Randy Jackson !

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
11/03/2011 10:52

Yep, you've got it...

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
11/03/2011 15:30

It was the only attribute needed when I enlisted in the Army.

janjin



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 488

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 21:28

Agnes we got one from Amazon their so small and light a friend may bring one over?

They look like a small whistle and are light because they are plastic.



Groucho, I will try the water butt trick thanks for that.

gmc1960


Joined: 04/02/2011
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 00:10

have flyscreens fıtted then u wont have a problem ın nıght or day!!!



0533 8825823

Agnes


Joined: 11/04/2009
Posts: 81

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 00:25

msg 40



thank you will order one and have a visitor bring it with them.

Josie1


Joined: 01/02/2011
Posts: 143

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 22:24

I got straight on the case to Avon as soon as I heard you all mentioning this wonderful SSS as I wanted it straight away - had never heard of it before!



I have pasted their reply below:-



__________________________________________________________________________________________



Thank you for your recent email.



We have had reports from Representatives and their customers that Avon Skin-So-Soft, Soft and Fresh (known originally as Woodland Fresh fragrance) Bath Oil and Dry Oil Body Spray acts as an effective insect repellent.



Our Quality Control Department advises that the aroma of the product that has a repellent effect is citronella. Citronella is in the perfume and as fragrance oils are ‘propriety compositions’ and the property of the vendor, due to vendor confidentiality, we list this ingredient as Parfum. However, we market and sell this product as a bath preparation only. We would not recommend any Skin-So-Soft product for any other use. Unfortunately, Skin-So-Soft p

Josie1


Joined: 01/02/2011
Posts: 143

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 22:26

Rest of message ----------------------



Unfortunately, Skin-So-Soft products in any other fragrance do not contain the same ingredients as the original Soft and Fresh.



Unfortunately, we cannot deliver products outside UK.





P.S Does anyone know any Avon reps here so I can buy it?

janjin



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 488

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 22:39

Josie I could bring you one over and meet in Kyrenia one day send me a pm.

Josie1


Joined: 01/02/2011
Posts: 143

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 23:27

That's really really kind of you, I'll try & send you a pm now.

Josie1


Joined: 01/02/2011
Posts: 143

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 23:41

janjin - Unfortunately it doesn't let me see your details as I haven't had enough posts. Are you able to see mine?

tbear


Joined: 27/01/2011
Posts: 24

Message Posted:
16/03/2011 07:02

Thanks for all your tips, the florist at the end of the block near tempo in catalkoy is a agent for avon she might be able to help

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
16/03/2011 07:44

So, you've now seen the answer from Avon re. the inclusion of Citronella in their original product.



This is why [in Msg 25] I recommended buying Citronella Oil - costs about €6 per 1 litre bottle - at 'Homebase' in Nicosia [RoC]; also, depending on the size of the area that needs 'protection', buy at least 4 clear glass lamps from the same counter. You should also buy a couple of spare wicks, as they are also a consumable, as in any oil burning lamp.



Having 'Mossie' screens fitted to windows/doors is all very well, but unfortunately the Cypriots haven't cottoned on to the fact that the mesh size of the netting, although affording prevention against 'Mossies' and sundry other insects, doesn't prevent the Sicilian Sandfly [the carrier of Sicilian Sandfly Fever] from passing through. Bloodsucking insects are attracted to humans and other animals by the carbon dioxide we breathe out - they only need to sniff a very small amount of Co2 to be attracted. Spray your insect screens with

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
16/03/2011 08:01

Msg 48/ Cont'd: crawling insect spray, not normal fly spray, as the former has more of a residual effect - i.e., lasts longer. It should last about three weeks. Spray from the inside [of the rooms] out - that should be sufficient.



Sandflies are becoming immune to sprays containing 'Permithrin' - try to find and buy a spray containing 'Cypermethrin' - it is difficult to source, but it is now available in the South - maybe in the North, too - perhaps from the agricultural chemical shop near the Girne Hospital.



If there are any unused swimming pools around your property, it would be wise to call your local Beledisi; they will come and spray chemical in the pool to kill all the mosquito larvae and prevent them hatching into the flying, predatory insect. Mosquitoes are the No. 1 killer of humans on this planet! Cyprus used be listed as a Malarial region - with global warming, this could very easily and quickly occur again - these things are 'silent invaders' - be very aware!

TurkBankRep


Joined: 22/01/2009
Posts: 219

Message Posted:
16/03/2011 08:26

have just seen a local Avon book and sss ıs on offer code 45419 150ml was 22tl now 11tl

original replenishing dry oil body spray in a whıte bpttle with two tone green on front



lında

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
16/03/2011 13:08

They LOVE me and I have tried all of the above and still had bites. The OFF spray that mickyron mentions in message15 is the only thing that works for me (when I remember to put it on!)

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
16/03/2011 16:46

Sadly, marmite doesn`t work for me. I must have eaten it almost every day of my life. I still get bitten. However, maybe they would be worse if I didn`t have marmite.

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
16/03/2011 18:32

The only remedy I can give to stop getting bitten in the first place is Mosquit-ex. Someone said last year you could get in on Amazon but until then I'd only ever found it in the airport - in a white box next to the Factor P20 lotion. It was originally developed for the forces stationed in Africa to stop them being bitten. I've been using it now for around 20yrs. It's not cheap but it does work. It leaves a coating on your skin that lasts for 12 hrs according to the bottle, though I feel it lasts longer than that. Ladies - get hubby to put it on you cos it'll melt your nail varnish! And it tastes vile, even when you've attempted to wash your hands, so getting hubby to put it on for you is best!!

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
16/03/2011 18:38

Just one other thought - I would not recommend a Mossie injection at the chemist. After a discussion on here last year I thought I'd try it out. Yet again, something that didn't work - I was still bitten - however, I've also been left with a 2-3 inch round scar behind my shoulder where the injection went in. It looks almost as if the muscle has withered away. Someone else told me they had the same experience and it took a couple of years for the scar to fade!



Perhaps not everyone has had this happen to them but ... you have been warned of a possible side effect.

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
16/03/2011 19:43

I tried the Mosquit-x and got a really bad skin rash where I had applied it. I agree though Pippie about the antihistmine injection, I also know someone who had the same reaction as yourself.

janjin



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 488

Message Posted:
17/03/2011 15:17

Josie1 you should have a message from me.

Josie1


Joined: 01/02/2011
Posts: 143

Message Posted:
17/03/2011 16:04

Thanks janjin - I will check & reply asap.

pc4854


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 243

Message Posted:
17/03/2011 18:05

Hi Tenakoutou,



re your listing message 25, I asked my lady chemist today for Medical Ammonia and although her english is excellent, she did not know what I was after. Is there another recognisable name for this product?

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
17/03/2011 19:33

pc4854/Msg 59: Re. your query:



I bought a plastic 1 litre bottle of 'Medically Pure 90%+ Ammonia' from the pharmacy right next to 'Tempo', Karaolanoglu. Of course, I can't advise you of their stock position. The bottle that I bought, judging by its discolouration, had obviously been in stock a fair while - however the contents were sound.



If mixing your own 'Roy's Bite Balm', make sure you do this OUTDOORS, as a single 'whiff' of amonia of such strength could, if inhaled, cause a person to quickly faint!



When the ingredients are mixed, make sure the bottle is capped tight and shake well. Do not spray, or apply near children, or pets, and store OUT OF REACH of children, or anyone you don't trust implicitly!



Although this balm will immediately relieve the itching from most insect bites and stings, repeated application may be required until itching/discomfort subsides.

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
17/03/2011 20:52

the best repellent I have found is 1/2 litre of methylated spirits, 3 lemons cut into quarters, put in a lock tight jar for two/three weeks, after three weeks put the liquid through a strainer, fill up a small pump spray, and when you are outdoors just spray your arms legs etc, its very good when you get bitten, the swelling will go away after an hour, and by morning it will have gone,





Robert